Let Proverbs 21 Change your Perspective {Proverbs 21}
12:30 AM
After Easter I felt the nudge to increase my devotional time, so I decided on May 1 to read Proverbs. And it didn't surprise me much to realize I would be posting on May 21 Proverbs 21. You see, I had been seeking wisdom and here's where God led me. Talk about priorities. God's plan….
I'm going to share a little about some of these verses I learned along the way.
Verse 1. In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
Since we are created in God's image, it's no wonder God holds and guides our hearts. This should BUILD our faith and change our hearts. Sometimes we end up agonizing when we see the stubbornness and hardness of a person's heart against God and His will but, the kings heart is in the hand of the LORD and He can guide it wherever He wishes.
that he channels toward all who please him.
Since we are created in God's image, it's no wonder God holds and guides our hearts. This should BUILD our faith and change our hearts. Sometimes we end up agonizing when we see the stubbornness and hardness of a person's heart against God and His will but, the kings heart is in the hand of the LORD and He can guide it wherever He wishes.
Verse 2. A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
By nature, we justify ourselves. Sometimes we do this in sincerity, sometimes with deception, but stubborn pride makes us generally think every one of our ways are right in our own eyes. We can justify things according to our hearts (“I must follow my heart or “In my heart I know”) but God weighs the hearts of men and women, knowing that the heart itself doesn't justify anything.
but the Lord weighs the heart.
By nature, we justify ourselves. Sometimes we do this in sincerity, sometimes with deception, but stubborn pride makes us generally think every one of our ways are right in our own eyes. We can justify things according to our hearts (“I must follow my heart or “In my heart I know”) but God weighs the hearts of men and women, knowing that the heart itself doesn't justify anything.
Verse 3. To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
How we treat people is far more important than our pew position or certificates on the wall.
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
How we treat people is far more important than our pew position or certificates on the wall.
Verse 5. The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
When good planning is combined with diligent work, there will be plenty to harvest. But the one who wants to avoid work or finds shortcuts will find failure.
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
When good planning is combined with diligent work, there will be plenty to harvest. But the one who wants to avoid work or finds shortcuts will find failure.
Verse 10. The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
This is a picture of satan himself. He not only does evil - he craves evil.
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
This is a picture of satan himself. He not only does evil - he craves evil.
Verse 11. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
This reminds me of my third child - he learned wisdom from watching the punishment of his older siblings.
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
This reminds me of my third child - he learned wisdom from watching the punishment of his older siblings.
Verse 12. The Righteous One[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
God is righteous and nothing a wicked person does escapes His sight. And so they are judged for their wickedness. And whatever judgment they receive, fits their actions.
and brings the wicked to ruin.
God is righteous and nothing a wicked person does escapes His sight. And so they are judged for their wickedness. And whatever judgment they receive, fits their actions.
Verse 13. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
We reap what we sow. What we give will be measured to us. If we are silent to those in need, God may arrange it so we will not be heard in our time of need.
will also cry out and not be answered.
We reap what we sow. What we give will be measured to us. If we are silent to those in need, God may arrange it so we will not be heard in our time of need.
Verse 16. Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
"As every every motion has an end, so every journey has a goal.” (Waltke)
The path we walk on and remain on, matters. This reminds me of the book “Pilgrim’s Progress”.
Verse 17. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
Wine and oil represent the luxuries of life. How about that device you're using to read this? Oh, how we can try to justify the use of these things. Perhaps other responsibilities are being neglected….
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
Wine and oil represent the luxuries of life. How about that device you're using to read this? Oh, how we can try to justify the use of these things. Perhaps other responsibilities are being neglected….
Verses 9 & 19. Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
These two verses show great value of peace and happiness in the home. To live in constant conflict is just misery.
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
These two verses show great value of peace and happiness in the home. To live in constant conflict is just misery.
Verse 23. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
keep themselves from calamity.
The person described in the verses 9 and 19 would be better to guard what they say and not speak anything that comes to mind. Unguarded words can bring on a lot of trouble. Having the wisdom to guard the mouth and tongue will keep us from many troubles.
keep themselves from calamity.
The person described in the verses 9 and 19 would be better to guard what they say and not speak anything that comes to mind. Unguarded words can bring on a lot of trouble. Having the wisdom to guard the mouth and tongue will keep us from many troubles.
Verse 25. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the lazy person kills him. “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38.
because his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the lazy person kills him. “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:38.
This verse reminds me of Lisa's Post from yesterday. We can have the desire for good, but we may not have the desire to work. A lazy person lives a life of constant frustration and disappointments. "Living in a world of wishful thinking and not working will bring ruin - this verse teaches that doing rather than desiring bring success." (Ross)
Verse 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
This verse is the perfect example of what I've seen in pictures at my place of work. There are drug dealers who will make shrines in their homes and say prayers to protect them from the police!
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
This verse is the perfect example of what I've seen in pictures at my place of work. There are drug dealers who will make shrines in their homes and say prayers to protect them from the police!
This Proverb certainly is full of wisdom to change your perspective on peace in the home, prosperity in life, and preparation for battle.
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